What Is "Kindergeld" (German Childcare Benefit)?

Kindergeld is the state benefit given to parents of children in Germany. Fortunately, foreigners living in Germany can also apply for it as long as they have a valid residency permit. Residents of EU/EEA countries do not need such permit to apply for Kindergeld.

The amount depends on the age and number of children.

You may be entitled to claim the benefit if:

You worked in Germany

You are an EU/EEA citizen

You have a permanent residence permit

Even if you worked and lived in Germany but your child/children did not, you may still be able to claim the benefit.

Residents of an EU or European Economic Area country, as well as residents in Switzerland are entitled to claim child benefits in Germany.

*Note:

As of 01.01.2018 individuals can claim Kindergeld for 6 months back in time only. The date of receiving your application will be taken in consideration. Therefore, the later you send it, the later it will be received by the German authorities. As a result, you'll have fewer months to apply for. Contact us as soon as you start working in Germany so that we can claim the maximum amount for you.

Kindergeld FAQ

?What is Kindergeld?

Kindergeld is a childcare benefit paid by the German state to parents working in Germany. It is also paid even when the child is residing abroad in any EU/EEA country. All children in Germany are entitled to receive child benefit starting from their birth until the age of 18.It’s paid regardless of parent’s income and can be received generally as per the Income Tax Law, when the parents have their place of abode or habitual residence in Germany.

?Who can claim Kindergeld?

Nationals of Switzerland, the European Union, and European Economic Area are entitled to child benefit without permanent residence permit or residence permit

Non-EU citizens: Other foreigners need to have a permanent residence permit or residence permit to avail of the benefit.

?What if parents are separated/divorced?

Child benefit is paid to the parent the child lives with.

?For whom can I claim child benefit?

Your spouse’s child if they live with you

Foster children if they live in your household and are longterm members and their parents no longer have custody of them

Grandchildren you have taken into the household

?What’s the age limit?

18 years is normally the age limit but this is increased to 25 in the case of:

Young people in education or training who haven’t completed their first degree or qualification and don’t work more than 20 hours per week.

Young people doing a year of voluntary or environmental service under the Youth Voluntary Service Act (Jugendfreiwilligendienstgesetz)

Young people taking part in the Federal Voluntary Service Act (Bundesfreiwilligendienstgesetz)

Young people who didn’t get a training place for their vocational training

Age 21 in the case of a young person who is unemployed and registered as a jobseeker with an employment agency.

?How is it paid?

It is paid through a bank transfer on the personal bank account of the applicant or his/her spouse. Childcare benefits due for previous periods will be paid as a lump-sum and monthly payments will follow as long as the applicant meets the requirements.

?How long does it take after I apply?

Up to 6 months after we have filed the application for you. You will receive the decision of the responsible Familienkasse (Bescheid) on your postal address as soon as your application is processed.

Prefer to talk to us?

Check out our Contact Us page for your nearest office

Useful Kindergeld Facts

Nationals of Switzerland, the European Union, and European Economic Area are entitled to child benefit even if the child was not with them in Germany

If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, but your children were with you in Germany you can still claim the childcare benefits for them

If you received childcare benefits in your home country but the amount is lower that the German equivalent, you could claim the difference if you apply for Kindergeld

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